THE IDEA OF PROGRESS

1. Read the definitions and fill in the gaps with suitable words.
PROGRESS

1. Forward movement, as toward a goal . Advance . Development . Increase =

=======>> Quantity

2. Gradual betterment . Steady / Progressive improvement of society / civilization / humankind.

=======>> Quality
2. Brainstorming: Here is a list of questions you must ask yourself about the notion. Complete the blanks.
What type of progress?

technological / scientific / social / medical / educational / agricultural / personal /__________ / __________/ (...)

Who are the people concerned?

individuals / companies / governments / associations/ NGO's / family / doctors/ (,,,)

Which period of time is concerned?

the past / the present / the future/ eternal (...)

What is at stake?

medical issues / physical performances / technical advances / innovations / dehumanization / domination / environmental issues / animal rights / place of women in society / race relations / social inequalities / economic opportunities / globalization / scientific advances / cultural differences/ human rights / educational advances(...)

What are the advantages and disadvantages (= drawbacks) / the pros  and cons / the upside and  downside?

Is it profitable (= technologie/ saving lives/ creating economical growth)  or is it potentially dangerous  (global warming/ over population /increasing inequalities)

for human beings? Why?

The negative side is the lost of humanisation increase by technology and the destruction of the environment that the consumerism is leading to.

The positive is that, with new technology, we are able to find solutions.

Is the impact positive or negative?  For whom?

The impact is both positive and negative. It is positive because of the efficacy behind thesystems. But it is also negative for biodirvesity and the animals that are going extinct because of the destruction of their living spaces.

Can we afford to reject progress  or can’t we do without it (nowadays & in future)?

I do not think we can reject progress. As an human being, we are always wanting to do better, bigger and faster things.

Can’t we improve on the idea of progress  commonly accepted  in  our  modern world and consumer society?

If so, how?

We can try to limit over-cosumption.

3. Build up your vocabulary

Complete the grid during the school-year with words and phrases suitable for the notion

UPSIDE / THE PROS	TYPES OF PROGRESS	DOWNSIDE / THE CONS
Enable  people to work  more efficiently  / improve our living standard  / ...	Technological progress	Cut people off from the real world /  lose touch with nature  / ...
Increase the knowledge  of  the world  / discover new materials  / ...	Scientific progress	Raise  ethical issues  /  create new inequalities  /  ...
Upgrade education  /  reduce gender and racial discrimination  / ...	Social progress	Lose traditional values  /  disrupt conservative lifestyles  /  ...
Acess to education for everyone/ more educated population	Educational progress	It create some difficulties to get into universities or education programmes
Increase solidarity between people/  reduce gender and racial discrimination  /  eliminate social inequalities	Social progress	Lose traditional values  / Increase conservative lifestyles  / lose touch with different cultures